A Tale of Parallels -------- Read more stories in A TALE OF PARRALELS

11. A Tale of Parallels I never give up a person that is terrified, nor one that is devoted to me, nor one that seeks my protection, nor one who is afflicted or destitute, nor one that is weak in protecting oneself, I shall never give up such a one till my own life is at an end. — Yudhishthira, Mahaprasthanika Parva, Bhagvat Gita Six on a journey, five thousand years ago The cataclysmic war between the fiendish forces and righteousness occurred during the period of Dakshniyana. The Pandavas, singularly symbolic of rectitude, under the sanctuary of Lord Krishna, overpowered their cousins the Kauravas, who represented diabolical and malevolent forces. However, administration of the kingdom required skillsets other than valour. Thus, Narayana took the victorious brothers to seek the blessings of Bhishma, lying haplessly on the bed of arrows. The venerable Bhishma, before casting his mortal self and merging into infinity sermonised twenty-one lessons on the art of governance to the Pandavas, especially the oldest sibling Yudhishthir. Yudhishthir was crowned the king of Hastinapur and Indraprastha. The Pandavas ruled for a period of thirty-six years after which they abdicated in favour of Abhimanyu’s son, Parikshit. Thereafter, the Pandavas along with Draupadi proceeded to the Himalayas, with the intention of living out their final days in the midst of the peaks of the Himalayas. Six on a journey, story in Kaliyuga The esteemed Trivedi family, originally hailing from Mughalsarai had settled in Allahabad several years ago. Under the new political dispensation Mughalsarai was now christened Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar while Allahabad was now known as Prayagraj. The Trivedis were bluestocking Brahmins, well-read in the scriptures and in their DNA a wealth of knowledge flowed. To them, Allahabad was a perfect sangam or confluence of tradition and progressive and modern. Pandit Satyanarayan Trivedi, patriarch of the family was a sitar maestro and renowned vocalist of the region. He had joined the Quit India movement at Mahatma Gandhi’s call and plunged neck-deep into politics to liberate the country from the foreign yoke. The musician had been imprisoned more than a couple of times for his defiant acts. Serving out his sentence, he had enthralled fellow prisoners with his musical prowess. After India gained freedom, Pandit Trivedi resumed his passion, disregarding a potentially flourishing political career that beckoned him. The maestro established himself as a star in the classical music firmament. His time in prison, in the company of India’s future political leaders, lent an aura of power and political connectedness without having to exert himself in the nasty arena of politics. Pandit Trivedi was blessed with a bright son, Mrityunjay Trivedi, who had little interest in the field of music. If Pandit Trivedi was disappointed, it did not last long. For the son pursued a career in the legal arena and rose to become a respected judge. He was to own a plenteous house in the Civil Lines area of Allahabad. Grandson Avinash Trivedi entered the hallowed portals of the Civil Services and was elevated to become the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. This lineage of polymath Brahmins were highly venerable not only in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, but across the state. Avinash Trivedi had five sons through his two wives. Dharma, Ballav and Dhananjay were his sons from the first marriage and Nakul and Ashwin, offspring through his second wife. His first wife Kadambini Trivedi nee Shukla became a sanyasin after the birth of Dhananjay as she suspected infidelity on the part of her husband. The senior civil servant married the stunningly beautiful and quick-witted enchantress, Madhvi Tripathi with whom he had indeed been having a secret dalliance. But strange are the lines of fate. Soon after giving birth to her twin boys, Madhvi cast her mortal self. The sanyasin first wife returned to the Trivedi household to bring up the children, but on the condition that she would retain her chastity. The bureaucrat accepted Kadambini back into the household on her conditions for the sake of his children. All five boys were educated at the prestigious Allahabad University. Dharma became a highly qualified epidemiologist, while his younger sibling Ballav joined the powerful Indian Police Service. Dhananjay established himself as a scientist. The twins Nakul and Ashwin were unconventional in their choice of careers compared to their step-brothers. Nakul was exceedingly handsome, with a chiselled body and sharp features and aspired to be a film star while Ashwin was blessed with remarkable intelligence and was trained to be a musician as Pandit Satyanarayan Trivedi, his great grandfather had done. Ashwin also wished to enter the world of politics, unlike his great grandfather. Six set out, five thousand years ago At the end of Mausala Parva, the perspicacious Sage Vyasa advised Arjuna and his brothers to abdicate their kingdom as the purpose of their life had been served. Arjuna confabulates with Yudhishthir. The five Pandava brothers and Draupadi agree to the command of the sagacious sage. Mahaprasthanika Parva is a narration of the voyage of the Pandavas across India and their ascent towards the Himalayas, as they trek their way to heaven on Mount Sumeru. Upon leaving their kingdom, a dog befriends them and joins them on their long march. While the inner discovery to the celestial arena takes place, tragically Draupadi casts her mortal self. A stoic Yudhishthir is also privy watching his siblings collapse in an unfortunate manner en route to the empyrean. Ultimately only Dharmaraj and the faithful dog are able to reach Mount Sumeru. Six set out, story in Kaliyuga Malini Pandey of Fatehpur was considered the epicentre of the fratricidal strife within the Trivedi family. She was the binding force among the Trivedi brothers, yet became a significant fault line between their varying ideologies. Malini hailed from a highly celebrated business and political family. The Pandeys had interests in the pharmaceutical industry besides running Fatehpur as their fiefdom. Malini was regarded as the mind or mann which controlled five senses (indriyas), instead she chose the body which was controlled by the five senses. She was loving, caring and tender at one point of time, brimful of navarasas, yet she was also a rebel, vengeful, and fierce on numerous occasions. Her father Madhukar Pandey was always wary of the apple of his eye, given her temperamental nature. Pandey was the Member of Parliament from Fatehpur, as his father and grandfather had been. His daughter assisted him in the management of the constituency. The young woman had graduated from the estimable Lady Shriram College and was the cynosure of Delhi University student politics. She had dabbled in dramatics and debates apart from plunging into the college and university politics. She was as canny and ruthless as she was bold and beautiful. Malini was ambitious and cut no corners to achieve her dreams. She was determined to follow her father’s footsteps and emerge as his worthy successor. The winsome woman was famously outspoken. Her pique was well-known in Fatehpur and Delhi. In Fatehpur, Malini was often referred to as Yagyaseni – the one who emerged from fire - for the traits she proudly carried on her shoulders. She was also given to the finer tastes of life like luxuriating on an occasional drink, smoking and at times indulged in drugs, apart from feasting on non-vegetarian fare, normally taboo among the orthodox Brahmins of her native town. Six in a story, five thousand years ago Once Yudhishthir decided to abdicate, Parikshit was crowned the king of Hastinapur, under the tutelage of Yuyutsu, who had crossed over from the Kaurava camp just before the devastating war. A Yadava prince named Vraja was installed as the king of Indraprastha and thereafter the Pandavas began their voyage to the lofty peaks of the Himalayas. The Pandavas first headed south. At the coast, Arjuna on the directions of Agni Devata handed over his arsenal to Varun Devata. Thereafter they travelled west where they were dismayed to see the city of Dwaraka submerged. Anguished, they turned north and halted at Hrishikesha and then crossed to the pristine peaks of the Himalayas. As the Pandavas and Draupadi trudged along, Lord Indira appeared and offered Yudhishthir a chance to jump into his chariot and enter heaven, but without the dog. However, Yudhishthir, the morally upright man, rejected the offer as he did not intend to abandon his friend, the dog. Six on a journey, story in Kaliyuga The Allahabad Medical Association organised a seminar on Epidemics and Impact on Economy and Health where Malini Pandey was invited as the Chief Guest. This was a step-up for Malini as she was standing-in for her father. The senior Pandey had excused himself on account of a prior appointment. The organisers, keen to have a Pandey linked to the event had requested the presence of the heir apparent and daughter. There were several speakers including the Trivedi brothers. Dr Dharma Trivedi in his capacity as an epidemiologist by specialisation and emerging scientist Dr Dhananjay Trivedi. Dr Dhananjay Trivedi’s paper on medicine and healthcare during epidemics won large scale applause and was sent for further scrutiny to CDSCO, the body responsible for approval of drugs, conduct of clinical trials, laying down the standards for drugs and control over the quality of imported drugs. Malini Pandey was distinctly impressed with Dhananjay Tripathi’s personality and acumen and in-depth knowledge. Perhaps this was destined to happen, and very soon the alluring Malini Pandey got emotionally entangled with the third Trivedi brother. Soon, she disclosed her feelings to her widower father, who pondered on the matter. “Let me think about it. Dhanjay is younger to Dharma and Ballav. Would Avinash Trivedi agree to the proposal?” “I do not care ... we are the potentate. If there is someone in my life, it is none other than Dhananjay and no one else father,” was the dazzling daughter’s ultimatum. But the cunning politician-father prevailed upon his daughter to marry Dharma. “You will be in the Trivedi household; I need not say anything further. What you do behind the curtains is your turf and aptitude. You are smart enough to understand. Avinash does not have an unblemished record in these matters,” he added in a steely manner. Thus, Malini was married to Dharma and made an entry into the Trivedi household. This provided her the aperture to carry on her dalliance with Dhananjay on the sly. However, the affair which was initially under the garb of secrecy became a talking point in the Trivedi family. Avinash Trivedi could not summon the moral courage to chastise his daughter-in-law as correctly predicted by Malini’s wily politician-father. In meantime the districts of Fatehpur and Allahabad were in the throes of an epidemic. Hysteria and disquietude gripped the two areas as scores were afflicted by a bizarre pestilence. This was Malini Pandey’s chance to make waves and enter the stratosphere of politics. She bludgeoned her way and compelled Dhananjay to unleash a product in the market, even though the final results were still awaited from CDSCO. “Imagine! Our pharmaceutical companies will thrive like never before. An epidemic or drought is the chance to make a killing, not to speak of the goodwill once.” “True, Malini! I can visualise enormous opportunities both economically and politically, but we are yet to receive the efficacy of the results from CDSCO,” the politician of Fatehpur tried to reason with his daughter. “Dad, you are the ruler and the people of Allahabad and Fatehpur are in a woebegone condition. This is the ideal time for our pharmaceutical units to launch the medicine and make an economic and political fortune. You cannot reject my proposal at any cost,” she defiantly said to her father. Her brother-in-law willingly complied with the directions of the alluring and powerful lady, hoping that it would yield substantial dividends for him too. The sagacious advice of his father and eldest brother were in vain, completely ignored by Dhananjay Trivedi. He opted to follow the directives of his paramour -sister-in-law. Five in a story, five thousand years ago As Pandavas crossed the Himalayas, Yagynaseni was the first person to cast her mortal self. A distraught Bhima pleaded with his older brother Yudhishthir to find out why Draupadi perished so early, unable to continue her journey to heaven. Yudhishthira remarked, “Though all the Pandavas were equal unto her, she displayed proclivity for Dhananjay. Thus, she was scalped by nature for this act of indiscretion.” Sangam International Regulatory Consultancy, the Pharmaceutical unit which was owned by the Pandeys rolled out the medicines to combat the pestilence. The drug was called Ayuravishkar. Compliant doctors in connivance with the powerful Pandey family of Fatehpur prescribed Ayuravishkar to patients of Fatehpur and Allahabad districts in droves, with disastrous consequences. The medicine was hardly a panacea. Instead, it became an albatross around the necks of the Pandeys and the Trivedis. There was a massive uproar in the Legislative Assembly, which led to banning of the drug, seizing and sealing of Sangam International Regulatory Consultancy and prosecution of Madhukar Pandey and Malini Pandey, several doctors and owners of important hospitals. Ballav, the SSP of Allahabad range was tasked to undertake the operations. “This is karma,” mused Avinash Trivedi. Three in a story, five thousand years ago Troubles come in threes. It was a cataclysmic sight for Bhima to see his wife Yagyaseni, his brothers the fabled archer Arjuna and Sahadev die on the way. They could not reach the next world in the body and clothes of this world. Bhima was stupefied and beseeched his illustrious brother, who only spoke the truth, as to why Sahadev could not complete his journey. Yudhishthir explained that Sahadev like his other brothers was extremely obedient and virtuous in every aspect of life except the fact that he suffered from excessive pride that none could match his wisdom and intelligence. The brothers continued trudging their way to Mount Meru and along the way the curtains are drawn on Nakul’s life. Yudhishthir explains that Nakul was in the twin grips of pride and vanity, assuming he was the most handsome person in the world. “Thus, he met his quietus and could not reach the abode of the angels,” Yudhishthir explained to the brawny and deferential Bhima. Three on a journey, story in Kaliyuga A few years prior to the tragic epidemic which snuffed out lives in Fatehpur and Allahabad and the infamous act on part of the Pandeys and Trivedi, other dramatic events took place in the Trivedi household. Nakul Trivedi was blessed with stunning looks which people attributed to his mother Madhavi’s genes. He developed a chiselled frame through rigorous workouts. He footslogged on the treadmill, pumped iron and swam to remain fit. He was an aspiring actor and appeared in some tele serials, OTT releases and in a few Bhojpuri movies. Malini Pandey was a woman with a roving eye. Though married to Dr Dharma, she continued an affair with his younger brother Dhananjay, the scientist. Once she was ensconced in the Trivedi household, she gradually let it be known to Nakul that she was quite impressed with his talents and good looks. Nakul beseeched his sister-in-law to help him make a foray in the tinsel world of Bollywood. At the passionate calling of her brother-in-law, she pulled a few strings and managed to send his portfolio to some leading advertising agencies and some well-established movie producers and distributors. Much to the simmering discontent of her husband and the consternation of Dhananjay, Malini accompanied Nakul to Mumbai, ostensibly to ensure that he got an opportunity to meet the right people. Under the pressure of her politico-father, producers financed a few films, and Nakul soon rose to the stratosphere of the tinsel world. Nakul Trivedi became an overnight sensation with women swooning and craving for his attention. Initially he was beholden to his sister-in-law who launched him in the cinematic arena, but soon he wanted to fly the flight of independence. As he became confident of his stardom Nakul no longer liked to be seen in the company of his sister-in-law. Meanwhile Malini’s fondness for Nakul spiralled and magnified, while Nakul attempted to extricate himself from the vice like grip of the covetous Malini Pandey, which was not appreciated by the lady. The tinsel world luxuriates on success, floundering performers are invariably stigmatized. When a couple of failures struck, as they had to inevitably, Nakul Trivedi discovered that he was overnight persona non grata. The greenhorn trouper had spurned Malini Pandey and she was not one to forgive, much less forget. Nakul Trivedi soon realised this was a cardinal mistake committed. As his films bombed at the box office, he became isolated. It was not long before he faded from public memory, a has been. Ashwin was exceedingly smart and astute. He was to run an NGO which looked after the destitute in the districts of Fatehpur and Allahabad. The youngster was also the Vice-President of Allahabad University once upon a time. The youngest of Trivedi brothers made valiant attempts to join the estimable Civil Services like his elder brother Ballav, but could not succeed. Ashwin, despite being erudite and ingenious was unable to crack the All-India Civil Services Examination or the Provincial Civil Services, exhausting all his attempts. This was much to the chagrin of his father who was once the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and older brother Ballav, the IPS officer of the family. This was a cross Ashwin had to bear all his life. Politics is the last refuge of scoundrels. Ashwin Trivedi was now based at Fatehpur and assisting Madhukar Pandey in the arena of politics and business. It was his frustration at not becoming a Babu like his father and brother that made him join active politics. Ashwin Trivedi was tasked by the hoodlum-politician Madhukar Trivedi to ferry medicines from Fatehpur to various parts of Uttar Pradesh, as he sought to gauge Ashwin’s potential. The NGO’s vehicle which transported the destitute was deployed to transport nubile women and girls to satisfy the carnal desires of prosperous businessmen and lascivious politicians. While the wheels churned, both Madhukar Pandey and Ashwin Trivedi made a killing and were flush with funds ... Ashwin was warned by his brothers to stay away from the former Member of Parliament. But he saw no future in any other career and mere transportation of verboten commodities was earning him large sums of money. One Dark Night The weather was tempestuous accompanied by heavy downpour. It was frightfully cold. It was past midnight when Ballav’s phone rang. “Sahab, Jai Hind Sahab, Constable Suraj Mal speaking ...” “What happened? Why are you calling so late in the night?” Ballav demanded in an irritated tone. “Sahab, please rush to Khurja ... your brother’s vehicle has met with a serious accident. We have rushed him to a local hospital,” Suraj Mal informed him. There was a pandemonium in the Trivedi residence. Dr Dharma and Dhananjay accompanied Ballav. Sadly, they were too late. The youngest of the Trivedi brothers was declared dead on arrival. Ashwin was killed in the accident along with half-a-dozen girls and young women. Two in a story, five thousand years ago Arjuna’s life too was snuffed out without reaching the abode of the Gods. Once again Bhima enquired from his older brother as to why Arjuna too failed to breast the tape. Yudhishthira explained to Bhima that though Arjuna was the nara who introduced them to Narayana himself, he suffered from the vice of self-aggrandisement. He swaggered that he was the most skilful archer and the singular hero in the universe, disregarding the claims of others. “Thus, he paid for this haughtiness,” added the oldest Pandava. Two on a journey, story in Kaliyuga The cataclysmic events which unfolded once the epidemic spread across the swathes of Fatehpur and Allahabad had eclipsed the business and political careers of Madhukar Pandey and Malini Pandey. It did not spare Dhananjay Trivedi as well. The scientist gave the stamp of approval for the deployment of the drug despite the fact that the final approval of CDSCO was still awaited. Wiser counsel was adumbrated by his blind love for the aesthetic Malini Pandey. He was stripped by the Indian Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and Technologists for the crime he committed and the punishment was a ten-year imprisonment. In jail he began reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky. One in a story, five thousand years ago Bhima and Yudhishthira carry on their journey to the lofty peaks of Sumeru. Bhima tires and falls down. While collapsing in a state of anguish he asked his older brother as to why he, Bhima, was unable to complete the journey to the ether. Yudhishthira held his brother’s hands and attributed it to the vice of gluttony. Bhima ate in gargantuan proportions without thinking about the hunger of others, besides constantly swaggering about his strength. Thus, he collapsed and could not reach the final destination of the heavens. One on a journey, story in Kaliyuga Ballav was subsumed with remorse seeing Ashwin’s charred body in the mortuary. The second brother in the lineage of the Trivedi brothers was inconsolable. Once the last rites of Ashwin Trivedi were performed, Ballav like a scalded cat expeditiously discovered that it was none other than Madhukar Pandey on whose behest, his younger sibling was transporting women from Fatehpur to politicians and businessmen of Uttar Pradesh. He summoned a crack team to track down the politician of Fatehpur, ignoring sagacious advice of his father and older brother. They attempted to prevail upon a choleric Ballav as he headed to Fatehpur. Madhukar Pandey was tipped off through his sources in the civil administration and police about the ingenious plans of Ballav. As Ballav rapidly moved to Fatehpur, he was summarily stopped mid-way and summoned by the higher-ups. He served transfer orders, to be implemented immediately. Ballav had to poceed to take charge of the UP Police Training College at Ghaziabad. This put paid to his plans. The final character in a story, five thousand years ago As per the Mahaprasthanika Parva, the dog and Yudhishthira continued their trudge up Mount Meru, when Lord Indra unexpectedly appeared in his chariot with a deafening roar and bang and requested Yudhishthira not to trudge anymore and instead join him. Yudhishthira informed Devendra he certainly would have come along with his brothers and Draupadi, but alas they perished in the gruelling expedition. Besides, Yudhishthira desired that his faithful friend, the dog, also to board the chariot to which Lord Indira denied permission. Yudhishthira refused to betray the dog, who was more than a friend and while he lost his kin, the canine faithfully followed him. He could not renounce his friend during the final leg of his life’s journey. Dharmaraj considered this act tantamount to a sin of immense magnitude. The dog, watching Yudhishthira’s steadfast commitment towards him, suddenly transmogrified and appeared as the deity Dharma. The celestial being Dharma showered encomiums on Yudhishthira. Dharma reminded Yudhishthira that aeons ago during their period of banishment after losing the game of dice in the woods, where his illustrious brothers puffed with pride lost their lives, disregarding his endearment for them, he asked Dharmaraj to revive Nakula, and passed his assay with alacrity and aplomb. And once again on this particular occasion, assuming the beagle to be devoted to him, he had renounced the very chariot of the celestials instead of renouncing the dog. “Thus, there is none in the heaven who could equal Yudhishthira in righteousness and uprightness,” added Dharmaraj. Then they all proceed to heaven. On their way they encountered Sage Narada who told them that Yudhishthira was the only human to enter the precincts of the empyrean in human form, even royal sages had failed to do so. “Such is the intrinsic and pristine quality of Yudhishthira,” he added. The righteous-souled king paid obeisance to the celestial beings and entered heaven on Indra’s chariot. The final character, story in Kaliyuga Dr Dharma the epidemiologist despite all the trials and tribulations and upheavals in his life and in the family, continued to work with righteousness. He served society with admirable equanimity and concealed his feelings and raw emotions. Every day he would visit the legendary Akshay Vat and the Lete Hanumanji Temple to atone for the sins committed by his family members and pray for them. One day while meditating under the Akshay Vat he had an apparition of a sage located somewhere in the upper reaches of Himalayas. Dr Dharma promptly left his practice and climbed the summit to reach the Himalayas. There he met the Swami who appeared in his vision and decided to spend his life in the quest of the quintessential truth. Strangely he befriended a dog, which used to appear every day at the hermitage. Dr Dharma now clad in ochre clothes fed the dog religiously every day. A few years later news spread like forest fire that the former Member of Parliament Madhukar Pandey was assassinated while he was addressing a rally at Fatehpur and the culprit was nabbed. Dr Dharma presumed it would have been Ballava’s action who swore to avenge for all the humiliation faced by the family. However, a little later he was informed the act was committed none other than by the nonagenarian former Chief Secretary Shri Avinash Trivedi. “This is the cycle of Karma,” mused Dr Dharma and dropped dead with a beatific look on his face. At a distance was his friend the dog.